Ukraine: »We were hoping for a ceasefire. But she didn't come"

Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine:

»Ukraine wants peace. The question is whether Russia wants that too.”

A first step towards this seemed to have already been taken. At least if Donald Trump has his way. He surprisingly announced on Sunday that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to immediately stop attacks on each other's energy infrastructure. Both sides agreed, writes Trump on Truth Social.

But only shortly after the announcement, the Russian attacks continued; among other things, according to information from Kyiv, the Russian army attacked a thermal power plant in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. Three people die and several are injured, according to authorities.

Nataliia Minka, eyewitness:

"It had barely been ten minutes since they promised not to attack energy facilities when there were already five impacts. […] I am at a loss for words. We were hoping for a ceasefire, but that didn't happen."

Zelenskyj contradicted Trump: According to the Ukrainian president, he knew nothing about a ceasefire that had already been agreed upon. In principle, Ukraine is prepared to stop its attacks on Russian energy facilities if Russia spares Ukrainian energy supplies in return.

Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine:

"This week alone, the Russians have carried out more than 200 attacks on power generation and power supply facilities in Ukraine."

The relationship between Trump and Zelensky is already tense. It was only at the weekend that the US President called for Zelensky to be replaced. Ukraine needs a new president who can end the war, said Trump.

However, there has so far been no confirmation from Moscow of the ceasefire that has now been announced. Whether it will actually come about remains an open question.